Pep Guardiola is being touted as a surprise candidate for the Italy national team job after his expected departure from Manchester City at the end of the 2025/26 season.
As the 2025/2026 season winds down, Pep Guardiola is reportedly preparing to step down as manager of Manchester City after nearly a decade in charge. Since arriving in 2016, Guardiola has transformed City into a dominant force in the premier-league and European football, winning multiple league titles and the UEFA Champions League. His departure, widely anticipated by insiders, opens the door for a new chapter in his managerial career — possibly on the international stage.
Guardiola’s legacy at City is defined by relentless possession football, tactical innovation, and an emphasis on youth development. With previous successes at Barcelona and Bayer Munich, he is considered one of the most influential managers of the modern era. Now, Football Italia reports that the Spanish tactician could take on one of the most unexpected challenges of his career: managing the Italian national team.
Guardiola’s ties to Italy run deeper than most realize. He played in Serie A for both Brescia and Roma during his playing career, giving him first-hand experience of the country’s football culture. He still speaks fluent Italian, frequently visits Italy, and has publicly praised Italian managers such as Gian Piero Gasperini of Atalanta and Maurizio Sarri of Lazio.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Guardiola’s potential appointment would represent a bold departure from traditional calcio values like defensive solidity and tactical caution. However, his philosophy could also rejuvenate a national team in need of modernization.
If Carlo Ancelotti can leave Real Madrid for Brazil, why can’t Guardiola take charge of the Azzurri?the publication argues.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is in turmoil after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Head coach Gennaro Gattuso is expected to be replaced, while FIGC President Gabriele Gravina and delegation chief Gigi Buffon have both tendered their resignations. The search for a new manager includes domestic favorites like Max Allegri, Roberto Mancini, and Antonio Conte.
But Guardiola’s candidacy would be historic. The last foreign manager to lead Italy was Helenio Herrera, who co-managed the team for just four games in the 1960s. Appointing Guardiola would signal a radical shift in philosophy and ambition. With the next cycle beginning in 2026, the FIGC’s decision could reshape Italian football for a generation.
